Join me in New York City

The holiday season has begun. And that means our dear American brands — from Starbucks to Target, from Apple to J. Crew to Best Buy — have all flipped the digital disc-jockey switch from pleasant capitalist retail soft rock to wall-to-wall Jingle Bells. In every store in America, it’s time…

Ignore the midterms. Remember the lies you once believed. — Tonight, I announce my candidacy for president. Tonight, I announce that I am not going anywhere. Tonight, I announce that after the most extreme betrayal of the American public in history, I want to lead you again. Vote for me. The country is still shit. It’s even worse than it…

There is a surprising amount of math involved in making movies. Yes, you have budgets and crew salaries and the Excel sheets involved in raising money and managing it. But, mostly, moviemakers use the sine curve — like, a lot. It’s that up-and-down wave you might remember from high school…

See you on the other side of the 2022 midterm elections — Tomorrow is the day. And yet, it is more likely the start of an agonizing period of waiting for finalized election returns. In 2020, they took two weeks. In light of the slate of election-deniers put up this cycle, this might take much more time. The longer it goes on…

The internet is on fire (🔥) today as Elon Musk becomes the Head Twit. To leave or not to leave? seems to be the modern question. The Verge reported last night that Elon’s first project is converting the platform’s Twitter Blue subscription from $4.99 to $19.99. Instead of paying to…

As New York City recovers from the economic bomb of Covid, here’s a quick dispatch from the city that never sleeps. That now totally sleeps. Usually by midnight. (Maybe that’s just me. I’m about to turn 45.) Broadway is back, so are the tourists. Shows are good and well worth…

It would serve us well to do it way more often — I was fascinated this week by the debate between Tim Ryan and J.D. Vance for the Senate seat in Ohio. Ryan is an interesting guy, and I suppose I personally enjoy watching a working-class hero do a master balancing act between his blue collar and his blue suit. What language…

An important post for writers of all kinds — This week, I am breaking from my usual political and social commentary to write about writing. I am sure the next five weeks will offer plenty of fodder for commentary as we head into the midterms. For today, let’s talk about stories. I love writing. I teach writing. I spend…